GDRFA, ICA Approval Still Required For UAE Residents From 10 Countries Including India

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UAE residents can now travel to Dubai without prior approval of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) — except for travelers coming from 10 Asian and African countries.

Residents travelling from the below mentioned countries will need to take approval from the GDRFA and ICA before flying to the UAE, Emirates airline said;

  • Bangladesh
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Uganda
  • Vietnam and
  • Zambia

However, this doesn’t apply to passengers who produce other visas, like a newly-issued residence or employment visa, short stay or long stay visa, visit visa or visa on arrival.

Passengers returning from the above-mentioned 10 countries must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test certificate with a QR code issued within 48 hours of the time the sample was collected at an approved health facility.

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They also need to present a rapid PCR test report with a QR code for a test conducted at the departure airport within six hours of departure.

Meanwhile, passengers travelling from countries aside from these 10 destinations must have a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.

The Dubai-based carrier said passengers travelling to Dubai as their final destination from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Vietnam, Zambia and Indonesia won’t be accepted for travel without completing the Covid-19 testing requirements.

Moreover, UAE nationals returning to Dubai from any country are exempted from the pre-departure Covid-19 PCR test requirements but must take a PCR test on arrival.

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Other exemptions include non-UAE nationals accompanying a first-degree UAE national family member, domestic workers accompanying a UAE national sponsor, children below 12 years old, and passengers with moderate to severe disabilities.

(Source: Khaleej Times)


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Also Read: UAE Open For All Vaccinated Travelers From Today; Check Guidelines

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Manish Khandelwal
Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

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